Where employers shape the future microelectronics workforce

SCALE-Con

On-site registration will not be available. Register before Jan. 26

February 2-3, 2026

Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, Washington, D.C.

SCALE-Con is not a traditional career fair - it’s a strategic workforce engagement experience.  Instead of employers pitching opportunities, students demonstrate their engineering skills, research, and career-ready expertise - providing first-hand insight into the talent pipeline supporting secure and defense-aligned microelectronics. 

SCALE-Con will bring together employers, universities, and national leaders committed to strengthening the U.S. microelectronics workfoce.

Students
Employers
Faculty
CONFERENCE LINK

EMPLOYERS

Why Employers Should Attend SCALE-Con

  • See talent in action - before you hire. At SCALE-Con, students don’t just submit resumes, they present real projects, applied research and technical problem solving skills developed through the SCALE consortium.

  • Build a workforce pipeline, not just a candidate list. SCALE-Con enables employers to:

    • Engage U.S. citizen students trained for secure microelectronic roles

    • Connect with universities near operational sites

    • Influence how academic programs align with real-world industry needs

  • Align skills with operational needs through direct conversations with students and faculty, employers gain insight into:

    • Emerging technical skills

    • Research directions

    • Workforce gaps and opportunities for collaboration

      These discussions help ensure future graduates are prepared for specific engineering, manufacturing, and security requirements.

  • Increase visibility and impact at the national level. By attending SCALE-Con, your organization becomes part of a national initiative strengthening secure microelectronics and defense-critical supply chains. Employers will also hear directly from national leadership shaping the future of the defense microelectronics workforce, offering perspective that goes beyond recruiting.

Who Should Attend from Your Organization

To maximize benefits for your organization, we encourage employers to send cross-functional teams, including:

  • Recruiters seeking high-caliber STEM talent

  • Hiring managers identifying candidates with industry-aligned skills

  • Working engineers who can engage with student projects and assess practical applications

  • Leadership exploring strategic partnerships and long-term workforce planning

  • Representatives from multiple company locations, enabling universities to tailor training to regional workforce needs

Benefits to Employers

  • Direct access to top student talent - U.S. citizens, average GPA 3.5+

  • Pipeline Development - through engagement with universities near your facilities

  • Workforce alignment - via direct dialogue with faculty and students on skills, research, and applications

  • National visibility & impact - as a contributor to strengthening secure microelectronics

  • Strategic insight - from national leaders guiding the defense microelectronics workforce

Schedule-at-a-Glance

Sunday, February 1, 2026 - Arrival and Welcome

2:00 PM - 6:00 PM Research Innovation Booth Set-Up (optional)

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Check-In & Welcome Reception

Monday, February 2, 2026 - Day 1

7:30 AM - 9:00 AM Check-In & Networking Breakfast

9:00 AM - 9:30 AM Opening Session & Welcome Remarks

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM University & Consortium Showcase / Tech Vertical Booths

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Networking Lunch

1:00 PM - 2:50 PM Concurrent Sessions: Professional Development / Faculty Roundtables/Industry Workshops

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM Research Presentation Session

4:15 PM - 5:30 PM Design Challenge Team Pitch Competition & Collaboration

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Evening Networking Reception

Tuesday, February 3, 2026 - Day 2

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM Networking Breakfast

9:00 AM - 11:15 AM Keynote & Leadership Panels

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Lunch & Tech Vertical Roundtables

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM University & Consortium Showcase / Tech Vertical Booths

2:45 PM - 3:30 PM Congressional Briefing

3:30 PM - 4:00 PM Closing & Final Remarks

4:00 PM Booth Breakdown/Evaluations/Departure

Students

WHY PARTICIPATE

  • Showcase Your Work

  • Gain Exposure

  • Career Impact

  • Professional Development

ACTIVITIES INCLUDE

  • Expo Booths

  • Poster Sessions

  • Keynote Speakers

  • And More!


Faculty

WHY PARTICIPATE

Faculty have a pivotal role in mentoring student teams to creatively showcase their research, while also serving as vital connectors between academia and industry. SCALE-Con is an opportunity to demonstrate how your programs and innovations directly align with government and industry applications and workforce needs.